You’re comfortable skinning and ready to venture into the backcountry and easy-to-manage avalanche terrain, either with a guide or some knowledgeable friends.
2019 Skills Guide: The Level One Experience

You’re just getting into skinning, intrigued by the prospect of hiking for turns, getting a bit of wintertime fitness and, eventually, possibly heading into avalanche terrain.
2020 Gear Test Week Instagram Recap

The 2020 Gear Test Week may be over, but memories of a week fueled by powder, sun and fun are still fresh in the minds of testers and editors.
The 2020 Gear Test Week in review

Snow was in the air last week when over 40 testers converged on Powder Mountain, Utah to test skis, splitboards, boots and bindings for the 2020 season.
Splitting the difference at the 2020 Gear Test Week

Last year’s 2019 Gear Test Week was the first at which skiers and splitboarders shared slopes and brews while reviewing the upcoming season’s standout hard and softgoods. And it was such a success that once again, Powder Mountain, Utah is host to both one-plankers and two, seamlessly coming together like the splitboards that are gracing GTW 2020.
Fat skis at the 2020 Gear Test Week lighten the load

Adding weight in the gym may be a point of pride, but on the skintrack every gram counts. For a long time, this meant powder planks were relegated to deep, lift-serve days and those who couldn’t give up the freeride ghost. But advancements in core technology have recently created new space on the skintrack for […]
2020 Gear Test Week: The ties that bind

There is one piece of gear that is the foundation of all AT setups, since Dynafit’s 1986 Low Tech model: the binding. And this technology has come a long way since the early years of the sport. From multi-norm compatibility to ultra-light, race-ready models, AT bindings now run the gamut of design. The advent of […]
2020 Gear Test Week: With boots, is less more?

In recent years, AT boots have sported all manner of buckle systems, from the Boa cinch to the traditional four-buckle lock-down. Each method is geared toward a particular use; the Scarpa Alien RS’s no-buckle Speed Lock system aims for rapid ascents while the Tecnica Zero G Tour Pro takes the recognizable shape of a downhill-charging […]
Uncommon Thread: An ancient fiber weaves a new story of cozy durability

Wool has been the outdoor world’s go-to material for centuries because of its natural ability to stay warm when wet. But this old-timey thread has come a long way since the days of itchy knickers and sweaters worn out of a sense of duty to grandma.
Going the Distance: Six travel and camping essentials

Multiday traverses, winter-camping trips and travels to far-flung destinations might sometimes seem like adventures you only experience vicariously through Instagram and Facebook. But there’s plenty of gear available today that makes ambitious pushes into the mountains more accessible. To push you toward that skintrack walkabout or remote vacation, check out these camping and travel selections that can help get you out there and back safely and smoothly.